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Darren Chester urges abandoning flawed legislation restricting medal reviews to actions within 20 years

The Albanese government's proposed legislation limits medal appeals to 20 years, stripping veterans and families of rights. Darren Chester says the changes undermine the Defence Honours Tribunal's independence and disenfranchise ADF members.

By news@gippsland - 3rd September 2025 - Back to News

The Albanese government is robbing veterans and current defence force members of their right to appeal decisions regarding the awarding of the nation's most important medals. Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs Darren Chester says the government should abandon its flawed legislation which strips the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal (DHAAT) of its capacity to review actions which occurred more than 20 years ago.

Following the Defence and Veteran Suicide Royal Commission, it's shocking government undermines Tribunal integrity, disenfranchising veterans without stakeholder consultation

Veterans rights threatened

Mr Chester said, "Under the Albanese government's ill-conceived plan for veterans, Able Seaman Teddy Sheean and Private Richard Norden would both have been denied the Victoria Cross because their brave actions occurred in World War 2 and during the Vietnam War."

"In a mean-spirited move, the Labor Party has introduced legislation to limit any investigation into past acts of bravery to just 20 years which would exclude the service of several generations of Australian Defence Force personnel. It's a plan to abolish the rights of current personnel and veterans, along with their families, to seek an independent review of defence decisions and the Coalition will oppose the move," Mr Chester said.

Veterans voices overlooked

Mr Chester said the Albanese government has not consulted with the Opposition or the ex-service community about the changes which would also redefine who can apply to the Tribunal for review. "I have literally no idea why the Labor Party has blundered down this pathway without any consultation. Even worse, the Minister's second reading speech was deceptive and selective - he actually pretended the Tribunal had called for these proposed changes."

"The only organisation which would support this unwelcome intrusion into the independence of this statutory agency would be the Defence Department because it has never accepted the principle that a tribunal should be allowed to review decisions of senior officers, particularly in relation to honours for gallantry," Mr Chester said.

Veterans rights stripped

Mr Chester also said, "The Minister also claimed that families would still be able to seek a review but that is simply untrue. Under the planned changes, the only people who can seek a review of an honour such as a Victoria Cross would need to have personally witnessed the action or been a senior officer."

"Despite the lack of evidence that the Tribunal's current standing rules have been abused by the public, the Albanese government is acting to totally abolish the current rights of ADF members, veterans and their families. They are taking away the rights of Australians to register legitimate appeals against a refusal of a defence honour or award," Mr Chester said.

Statutory agency safeguarded

Mr Chester said the Coalition would vote to retain the independence of the Tribunal as a statutory agency. "From my time as Minister, I'm not aware of any stakeholders, apart from senior defence officers, who were critical of the current operations of the Tribunal."

"Quite the opposite, in my experience the members of the Tribunal have acted with incredible diligence, professionalism and integrity. They have taken their job seriously. They have weighed up complex issues, carefully considered the consequences, and made recommendations which are balanced and responsible," Mr Chester said.

Medal system targeted

Mr Chester added, "It's not like they have been handing out medals without due consideration of the many complex issues they have encountered. It is hypocritical of the Prime Minister to have lectured the former government about the Teddy Sheean VC inquiry and then removed the mechanism which allowed this brave sailor's actions to be considered in the first place."

"In the aftermath of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, it is staggering that this government is taking action which actually disenfranchises serving men and women, veterans and their families by undermining the integrity of an independent Tribunal."

"If the Minister won't withdraw this legislation he should have the decency to consult with impacted stakeholders and understand the consequences of this flawed approach," Mr Chester said.

Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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